The new playoff system will grant only the top seeds in the AFC and NFC a first-round bye, while pitting the No. 2 team against the seventh-seed, No. 3 will host No. 6, and the fourth and fifth-seeded teams will meet.

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It certainly gives teams added incentive to finish with the best record in each conference, knowing that they’re the only teams that will get a week off before the win-or-go-home scenario of football’s post-season.

NFL clubs approve expansion of postseason beginning in 2020 season:

– Number of playoff teams increased from 12 to 14 (one additional Wild Card team per conference)– No. 1 seeds in each conference receive a bye– Wild Card Round expands from four to six games pic.twitter.com/sFiamvSi1C

The schedule will be released in May and the 16-game regular season is tentatively set to start on Sept. 10, unless, of course, the COVID-19 crisis is still causing chaos in North America and around the world.

2:15Ontario schools will remain closed until at least May due to coronavirus

Ontario schools will remain closed until at least May due to coronavirus

The pandemic has already forced the NFL to cancel its annual meetings, and the April 23-25 draft will be held remotely, with commissioner Roger Goodell announcing the first-round selections from a central hub instead of in front of thousands of cheering — and booing — fans in Las Vegas.

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All NFL fans are hoping the coronavirus crisis is contained before kickoff in September, and if it isn’t, we will probably have bigger things to worry about than not having four-down football.